The Origins Of Fountains

The main purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the area. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains functioned using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the designer. The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller depictions of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.

The end of the nineteenth century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.

Decorating city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the uses of modern-day fountains.

Choose from all Sorts of Outdoor Fountains

Sending a stream of water straight into the air, spouting fountains leave a spectacular impression. It is doable to have one of these installed into an existing, ample pond. You may have encountered one of these in a park or an old mansion.

Choose a fashionable wall fountain to put outdoors. These kinds of fountains make great water features even if you only have a small garden. Wall fountains are not flamboyant water features when compared with a spouting fountain. In a very simple process, the water flows out of a spout, trickles down a beautifully textured wall only to be pumped back to the top.

Themed fountains are best when the style of your garden allows for them. A cherub grasping a spout is one of the possible kinds of classical-styled statues you can use if you want your fountain to suit a rustically themed cottage or garden. Consider including something bolder and distinctive for a modern-day garden. Feel free to let your hair down and go with something fun and audacious.

The main characteristic of tiered fountains is the numerous levels spewing out water. Water runs down multiple tiers in a cascading fountain.

Since external fountains require a great deal of space, think about putting in a wall fountain or a pondless fountain. Due to the fact that the reservoirs required for these kinds of fountains are hidden underground, you can make the most of the space at your disposal.

Tranquility and well-being are some of the key sensations imparted by Japanese fountains. Bamboo sticks function as the piping from which water flows in these kinds of water features. Water then streams into a container or a shaped stone, only to repeat the cycle over and over again.

Glass fountains make up a different category of fountain. A more vintage look is provided by trellis-style fountains which showcase shaped metalwork. Water features of this type are a perfect alternative for gardens with many sharp edges as well as contemporary forms and design. The flowing water creates a beautiful effect as it moves down the glass panels. Some fountains also include colorful LED lights to shine onto the sheets of glass as water flows downwards. A rock waterfall fountain (often made of imitation rock) showcases water gently flowing down its façade.

A large rock drilled with openings which then has pipes inserted into it is what differentiates a bubbling rock fountain. The bubbling and gurgling at the uppermost part of this type of fountain are brought on by the water being thrust upward at low pressure. Water then streams as a gentle trickle down the sides of the rock to its base. Gardens with limited space are good areas to include this style of fountain. Water is moved at low pressure in this kind of fountain, so you can be assured knowing that it will not spray all over should the wind pick up.

Solar powered fountains have become more popular recently since they run on sunlight. The reasons for this are diverse, from the lack of wires and the reduced complexities to the lower power bills and the beneficial effects on our environment. You will not have to concede on style since there is a wide array of designs to pick from in outdoor solar-powered fountains.